In order to communicate with care and compassion, ministry leaders need to understand the five phases of special-needs parenting. In the video below, I give an overview of the phases, share what families need from their church in each phase, and give communication tips that are effective no matter what phase parents are in.

The Child Mind Institute has launched the #MyYoungerSelf campaign during Mental Health Month to counter the stigma for the 1 in 5 children struggling with these disorders. This May actors, athletes, social influencers, business people and others are sending a message of hope about their experiences growing up with a mental health or learning disorder. Here's a letter from the leader of our ministry team to an eleventh grade boy who was going through a difficult time.

How can each follower of Jesus pursue justice for people with disabilities? We see in David a paradigm when he meets Mephibosheth. In 2 Samuel 9, we see David exemplify three simple practices that can help combat injustice and inequity for people with disabilities.

I’ve been in ministry long enough to know that the prayers and time spent seeking God determine the outcome of ministry and special events. Everyone working in the space of special needs or mental health ministry needs to stay prayed up, in God’s Word, for guidance, wisdom, and protection. Make no mistake, the work of all special needs ministry, including ministry to and with people whose disability is revealed in behavior, is very much intertwined with the battle over whose life holds value. Anyone working in this space is on the front line of the battle between darkness and light.

The Christian faith is a relay race, it is the responsibility of each Christian and each church to leave a trail that clears the path for those coming behind us. This is especially true as it relates to disability ministry.

Getting away from the daily challenges in everyone’s every day life is refreshing, but when you are caring for one or more people in your family who need 24/7 care and attention, it’s an extra blessing.

Pastor and leaders: if you have a special needs ministry team please show them the same love and appreciation that Paul shares with the church of Thessalonica. It is their faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope that is often the engine that secretly powers the mission and purpose of Christ in your congregation.

Pastors, we have been tasked with telling the gospel story in ways that paint a beautiful picture of God’s kingdom, a kingdom that includes the disability community. Let’s preach messages that move our congregations to become more inclusive.

With this simple template, Beth and the staff at Colorado Community Church have helped hundreds of people with their mental health and helped them understand themselves as children of God. You can do the same!

I want to say “thank you” to leaders who are taking time to prayerfully ponder, be sensitive to, and invest in the experiences of their special-needs families throughout this beautiful holiday season. Your gift of love can give joy to an entire family.

David’s words about how God shepherded him have become my model for pastoral ministry to the special-needs community. Pastors, here are four things to consider when pastoring special-needs families through moments in the valley.

When church leadership is approached about the need to create environments that can serve the needs of the disability and special-needs community, the most common response is a lack of education and lack of resources. In other words, there is no room in the budget, no room in the mission, no room in the vision of the church, and no room for discussion about disability theology.

Understanding the “pre-apology” mindset can help our churches create more welcoming, inclusive, and engaging worship experiences for families with special needs. The resulting diversity in our communities helps us better reflect the heart of Jesus among others and enriches our personal experience of Christ too.